Advertising disclosure

This content is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.

Featured Gas Rewards Credit Cards

Rising gas prices are affecting everyone across the country. Even if you don’t drive very often, high fuel costs are causing price increases for food and other commodities. Even though gas prices are affecting many aspects of our economy, anyone can save money on gas if they shop smartly. One of the best ways to do that is with a gas or cash rewards credit card.

Some of these cards will earn you 3-5% cash back on gas purchases. With gas prices approaching $3 per gallon in much of the US, that equals a savings of $0.09 – 0.15 per gallon, or several dollars per fill up. Most of these cards also offer additional cash back on other purchases as well, including grocery stores, restaurants, travel, and more. Using these gas rewards cards can easily save many people several hundred dollars per year.

Because there are so many cards on the market, how are you supposed to decide which one is right for you? Sure, you could spend hours researching the thousands of different cards, but you don’t have to. Luckily, we have complied some of the best gas rewards credit cards on the market. This list will give you an idea of what each hard has to offer and the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards

The following credit cards offer some of the best rewards and cash back for buying gas. Keep in mind many of the also offer additional rewards in other categories, such as restaurant spending, travel, and more.

Best No-Hassle Gas Rewards Credit Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent all-around credit card for those who don’t want to juggle cards to get a highest reward. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers an automatic 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories, no cash back limits, and no minimum reward redemption requirement. There is no annual fee, and your rewards don’t expire as long as you keep your account open.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® currently offers a $150 cash bonus after you spend a minimum of $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account ownership. This is a very low minimum spending requirement to get the bonus.

To top it off, this card offers a 0% Intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the time you open your account. There is a 5% balance transfer fee, making this an acceptable, but not great option for balance transfers. (see our list of best balance transfer credit cards for lower cost balance transfer options).

Overall, this is a dependable card that offers very good rewards without having to jump through hoops.

The Discover it® – Cashback MatchTM offers 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 5% cash back each quarter requires activation and is limited to the quarterly maximum of $1,500 in purchases. All other purchases earn 1% cash back, with no limits.

Discover lists Gas Stations as one of the quarterly cash back categories. So you can earn 5% cash back on purchases at gas stations during that quarter. 5% is about the best you will find for cash back at gas stations, making this an excellent gas rewards card. The 1% cash back is also a pretty decent reward. The 5% cash back categories rotate each quarter, and include places such as gas stations, restaurants, wholesale clubs, grocery stores, and Amazon.com. If you regularly spend at these locations, then the Discover it® – Cashback MatchTM may be a good credit card for you.

This card has no annual fee, your cash rewards never expire, and you can redeem your rewards in any amount and at any time. This card is eligible for a free FICO® Credit Score (based on TransUnion data). You can view your credit score on your credit card statement or in your Discover.com account.

Limited Time Intro Offer: New cardholders will receive a match on all cash back earned in the first year. This can be a huge bonus, depending on your spending habits.

You can compare this and other cash back credit cards on this page.

Best Business Gas Rewards Card – Ink Business CashSM Credit Card

The Ink Business CashSM Credit Card from Chase offers excellent cash back in several categories. This card is designed to be a jack of all trades when it comes to running your small business finances. It offers 2% cash back on gas and restaurants, 5% cash back in several other categories, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It’s also the credit card I personally use for my small business. Here is how the cash back program works for this card:

5% cash back – on first $25k of combined spending for office supply stores, cell phones, landlines, and internet and cable service,

2% cash back – on first $25k of combined spending for restaurants and gas stations, and

1% cash back – on everything else, with no limits.

For a limited time, you can also earn a $300 cash bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of card ownership.

TheInk Business CashSM Credit Card has no annual fee, offers a 12-month 0% introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers, and you can get employee cards at no additional cost.

What to Look for When Comparing Gas Credit Cards

While some cards offer a general rewards program, others offer specific gas rewards programs that can help you save on the cost of your commute over time. With these offers, you are generally awarded a certain percentage of cash back on all of your gas or gas station purchases.

While some gas rewards cards offer cash back on gas purchases only, others are cash back cards that offer rewards on purchases other than gas. Meanwhile, some cards offer a lot of cash back – as much as 3% – on gas purchases while offering 1 or 2% back on other category purchases.

Here are some additional details you should know about gas rewards cards:

Some offer more cash back on gas purchases based on categories that rotate each quarter – While most gas cards offer cash back as a fixed percentage of your spending, a handful of cards may offer more cash back during certain quarters each year. During those “bonus periods,” you can earn as much as 5% cash back on all gas and gas station purchases. These bonus categories offer a nice little incentive for using your card for purchases other than gas.

A handful of gas rewards cards offer a sign-up bonus – In addition to the opportunity for ongoing rewards, some gas cards offer a sign-up bonus to customers who meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain length of time – usually around 3 months. In some cases, the sign-up bonus alone can be worth $200 or more. These sign-up bonuses shouldn’t change which card you go with, but if you have two that work equally well for you, then take the one with the bonus offer.

Interest rates are generally higher for all rewards cards, including gas rewards credit cards – Like all rewards cards, gas cards charge higher interest rates than almost any other type of card. Don’t let this scare you away from getting a gas rewards credit card. You can avoid paying a lot of interest, you’ll need to pay your balance in full each month.

Some cards have limits on how much you can earn – While some gas cards offer an unlimited amount of cash back, others put a cap on how much you can earn each year or quarter. In some cases, these earning caps can drastically limit the rewards you earn over time. Be sure to understand what the limit is and how often it resets. You want to get the most out of your rewards card possible.

Many gas cards charge an annual fee – Since gas credit cards are a type of rewards card, many charge an annual fee. If you don’t plan to use your card regularly, the annual fee may even be enough to wipe out any rewards or cash back you earn.

Read the fine print – just like with any other card or rewards program, there is always fine print. Be sure to read all of the terms and conditions that come with the gas rewards credit cards. Don’t get sucked into a deal that promises you the world, but gives you nothing more than fees and frustration.

5 Steps to Select a Gas Rewards Card

As you explore the world of gas rewards cards, you’ll find that not all are created equal. While some offer generous rewards programs that might tempt you, others offer lower interest rates or other non-monetary benefits. These steps can help you end up with the best gas card for your unique situation:

Step 1: Know your credit score.

When you’re selecting any type of credit card to apply for, your first step should involve finding out what shape your credit is in. If your score is excellent, or anything over 780, you should have no problem qualifying for the card of your choice. However, if your credit is just good (661-779), fair (601-660), poor (501-600), or bad (anything lower), you may encounter some problems. Either way, knowing your credit score ahead of time is half the battle.

When you’re choosing a card based on the rewards program only, take a close look at how points are earned. Ask yourself if your gas and regular spending will be enough to translate into big rewards over time. If you’re looking for a card for everyday use, it’s also important to pick an option that offers rewards on more than just gas purchases.

Step 3: Compare fees and interest rates.

Now that you’ve sifted through the various rewards programs, it’s time to learn about the various fees you’ll need to avoid. In most cases, that list will include easily avoidable charges like over-the-limit fees, late fees, and foreign transaction fees. If your card has a high APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, you’ll also want to make sure you can pay your balance in full and on time, every single time. Many times you can avoid interest by signing up for one of the zero percent credit cards. These cards will offer you a 0% rate for a period of time. This can save you a lot of money if you are carrying debt and transfer that high interest debt to the low interest card.

Step 4: Weigh the pros and cons of an annual fee (if applicable).

Don’t necessarily rule out a card with an annual fee. Depending on your spending habits, paying an annual fee can be more than worth it. It truly depends on how much cash back you hope to earn and how that stacks up to how much you might earn with comparable, no-fee cards. If you want to know whether an annual fee is worth it, do the math.

Step 5: Pick the card that offers the most benefits for the lowest cost possible.

Once you’ve sorted through the details of each offer, you should have a general idea of which card you want. Most of the time, the best card for you will be the one that provides the most cash back and the best benefits for very little out-of-pocket cost.

Bonus Tip: Shop Around.

Comparing Credit Card Offers is the easiest way to get the best credit card for your needs. There are literally thousands of credit cards out there, and with a little legwork, you can find a credit card that offers you flexibility and valuable savings. When shopping for a gas card, don’t forget to investigate store brand cards and credit unions. Some of these offers may be better based on your needs. Keep in mind that some gas credit cards can only be used at gas stations, or may not offer cash back if they can be used elsewhere. You may also be able to find a great deal with your credit union if you belong to one. Be sure to shop around.

Get Gas Often? Get a Gas Credit Card

Whether you drive a lot or a little, getting a gas card or flexible cash back card is almost a no brainer. Depending on how much you spend on gas and other purchases, you could knock hundreds of dollars off of your transportation costs over the months and years.

And if you drive a lot for leisure or commute to work, getting a gas card makes even more sense. Not only can you earn cash back and other rewards on purchases you were going to make anyway, but you can also use your card to continue building a positive credit history.

But here’s the best part: By using your card for gas and everyday purchases and paying it off every single month, you can often earn a slew of benefits and some serious cash with very little – or even no – out-of-pocket cost.

A lot of people say they are going to pay off their credit card balance every month, but they forget or some financial emergency pops up. Little slip-ups like forgetting to pay off your balance can cost you hundreds of dollars in interest. To avoid one of these mistakes, you can either pay off the balance as soon as you get home from getting gas, or set yourself a reminder to pay it every week. Don’t let a simple mistake keep you from getting the most out of your rewards credit card.

Unless you start using public transportation, you can’t avoid buying gas. If you’re going to be buying gas anyways, you might as well get cash back for it. Gas rewards credit cards are a great way to put a little extra cash back in your pocket for something you’re going to have to buy anyways.

Subscribe

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional financial advice. References to third party products, rates, and offers may change without notice. Please visit the referenced site for current information. We may receive compensation through affiliate or advertising relationships from products mentioned on this site. However, we do not accept compensation for positive reviews; all reviews on this site represent the opinions of the author. Privacy Policy

Editorial Disclosure: This content is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.